Forward ‘open’ to Premier League return with Chelsea | OneFootball

Joao Felix is open to a return to Chelsea as talks continue between the Premier League side and Atletico Madrid.

Felix has emerged as a potential option to help facilitate the transfer of Conor Gallagher from Chelsea to Atletico, after the collapse of the West London side’s move for Samu Omorodion.

The Portugal international has returned to Atletico after spending the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Barcelona, where the forward scored 10 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions. He had earlier spent the second half of 2022/23 on loan at Chelsea, scoring four goals in 20 games, and is open to a return to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Chelsea were understood to be keen to sign Felix on a permanent basis after his loan move but the transfer was rejected by incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino. With Enzo Maresca now in charge of the Blues, Chelsea have opened talks with Atletico to discuss the conditions of a potential deal.

Sky Germany are reporting that Felix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is in ‘concrete talks’ with both clubs to work out a deal, which would be a permanent transfer. However, a deal is described as ‘difficult’ despite Felix’s openness to a return to the Premier League.

When do Chelsea begin their Premier League season?

Chelsea kick-off their Premier League campaign on Sunday 18th August.

The West London side take on Premier League champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, with Enzo Maresca set to face off against former mentor Pep Guardiola in his first game in charge of the Blues.

Maresca previously worked as an assistant coach at the Etihad, before moving to Leicester last summer. Both meetings between the teams ended in draws in the Premier League in 2023/24.

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